Today's Verse - Amos 5:14

Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.

—Amos 5:14

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Many illicit and evil groups claim to have God on their side. Horrific things have been done under the disguise of a "Christian" movement. Jesus, however, told us we could recognize people by their fruit. Those who seek good and abhor evil, live with righteous character, and practice faithful love, justice, and mercy are the ones who have God with them. Let's make sure the visible holy qualities of God in us match our claim that God's presence and approval are in our lives!

My Prayer...

Thank you for your presence in my life, Almighty God and loving Father. Please forgive me for the times when I let sin and selfishness crowd you and your character out of my life and bring reproach to your name. Empower me with your Holy Spirit to live as your holy child while displaying your righteous character to the world. In Jesus' name, I ask and yearn to more perfectly reflect your righteous character, gracious compassion, faithful justice, and tender mercy. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - 1 John 5:13

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

—1 John 5:13

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Yes, we can KNOW we have eternal life! Don't settle for less!! Confidence is so crucial that God sent his Son to die and be raised so we could know that eternal life with Jesus is our destination, not just our journey. While that eternal life begins and is experienced now (John 5:24), what we experience here is only a hint, a foretaste, of what lies ahead in our glorious and eternal future with the LORD Jesus.

My Prayer...

Thank you, heavenly Father, for your plan of salvation and the cost you paid to make it happen. Thank you for giving me confidence now in my eternal future with you as your child. Thank you for heaven, hope, and my home with you forever. To you belong all the glory and praise, and I pray in your name, LORD Jesus. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - 1 Thessalonians 5:12

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.

—1 Thessalonians 5:12

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What are you doing to bless the lives of your spiritual leaders? Do you pray daily for them? Do you send them notes of encouragement? Do you thank them for their loving attention? Do you respond to their correction and take heart in their affirmations? Leaders don't need to be followed unthinkingly, but often, they get no support for their efforts. Let's make their work a blessing and not a burden (Hebrews 13:17). Let's respect our leaders who work hard among us!

My Prayer...

Thank you for our spiritual leaders, Almighty God, the Great Leader of Israel. Bless their families with faithfulness, their lives with health, their influence with Godly impact, and their leadership with willing followers. May you, dear God, be praised and glorified by the unity of your people and the quality of our leaders. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.